Casino Royale reunion by Jacky Runice

The casino has become adult America’s playground and the bells and whistles of the other-worldly casino experience combine nicely with grown-up reunions.

You can get pretty good reunion deals. “A lot of times you can get a really good value at casinos. Rooms and food are subsidized by gambling money so you can generally find lower prices and good values on lodging and meals. In addition, many reunion-friendly casinos are near spectacular outdoor scenery, challenging golf courses and unusual attractions making for a well-rounded gathering. You just have to narrow it down to which gaming town and resort fits your group’s style and budget.

The Atlantis Casino Resort Spa hosts up to 20 to 25 various size reunions per year. Located on the strip and in the heart of Reno’s new shopping and dining district with eight dining choices featuring some of the best restaurants on the West Coast and 10 exciting themed lounges and nightly entertainment. Catering and banquet staffs are great at working with unique reunion needs. Visit www.atlantiscasino.com.

The Gold Coast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is a big hit with military reunions. “Our attendees expressed their utmost satisfaction with their accommodations, service and excellent food,” wrote Thomas R. Johnson of VMA – 223 Marine Corps Reunion. Dick Hawkins, USS Kennebec (AO-36) said, “The facilities, food and service were all First Class. The reunion was a major success and a good share of the credit goes to the Gold Coast.” Of the 1198th O E & T Squadron, Ora J. Baird Jr., Lt. Colonel (Ret) USAF, concurred by adding, “Thank you for all the attention to detail that made it such a successful reunion. Everything was great.”

The Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, hosts about 25 reunions each year, featuring deluxe guest rooms and suites, full-service casino, bingo, a slot club, terrific restaurants, a 70-lane bowling center, live entertainment plus a swimming pool and fitness center. William MacInnes, of the 3-5 Radio Research Unit, agreed by saying, “We were all impressed with the various restaurants. Our rooms were comfortable and clean. Everyone at the hotel was courteous and friendly.” Visit www.goldcoastcasino.com

Often, the most important amenity is value so many members can afford to attend your reunion. The Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas welcomes up to 20 reunions every year, including family, military and alumni groups. It was the value that got Henry Mondragon’s interest. “Our group is a single platoon of about 70 US Marines who fought together, in Vietnam, during 1968,” he explained. “When we started to find a place for the reunion one of the members suggested a place that required a shuttle to the Strip. My problem was that it was forty dollars a night over the Palace and it wasn’t even on the Strip. My wife and I had been to the Imperial Palace in the early 80’s and enjoyed ourselves. I mentioned it to one of the guys and he said it was an old casino and probably the rooms were, too. I visited the Imperial Palace web site and found they had done massive improvements and upgrades,and the price was reasonable. I sent out an email to the guys and they liked the price and voted to give it a try. I was pleased with the facility and the location. The staff was cordial and always available.” Mondragon is always looking for more of the guys. Visit www.imperialpalace.com.

Your gaming reunion doesn’t necessarily mean traveling to Nevada. The Pala Casino Resort & Spa has “All the excitement of Las Vegas under the breathtaking backdrop of Southern California.” Pala can accommodate meetings from five to 2,000 people with its 17 flexible meeting rooms, eight of them overlooking the garden and pool. In addition to onsite entertainment, the staff provides information about shopping, nearby golf courses and winery tours. Visit www.palacasino.com.

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